Occupational therapists help patients regain independence in daily activities. Your resume should showcase functional outcomes, caseload management, and specialized intervention techniques.
Registered Occupational Therapist with 15+ years specializing in neurological and hand rehabilitation. Expert in AI-assisted assistive technology and evidence-based interventions improving functional independence for 5,000+ patients.
Professional Experience
Senior Occupational Therapist, Neurorehab at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
2015 - Present
Managed caseload of 40+ patients weekly with traumatic brain injury, stroke, and spinal cord injury diagnoses
Achieved 90% of patients meeting or exceeding functional independence measure (FIM) goals at discharge
Implemented AI-powered smart home training program preparing patients for independent living with 85% success rate
Developed upper extremity rehabilitation protocol adopted across 5 facility locations serving 2,000+ patients annually
Supervised 8 occupational therapy assistants and 15+ OT students
Occupational Therapist, Hand Therapy at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation
2010 - 2015
Specialized in hand and upper extremity rehabilitation treating 30+ patients weekly
Fabricated 500+ custom orthoses annually with 98% patient compliance and fit satisfaction
Reduced return-to-work time by 25% for industrial injury patients through work simulation programs
Published 3 peer-reviewed papers on hand therapy outcomes and ergonomic interventions
Pediatric Occupational Therapist at Children's Hospital
2007 - 2010
Provided OT services for 25+ pediatric patients weekly with autism, sensory processing disorders, and developmental delays
Designed sensory integration programs improving school participation by 40% for ASD population
Collaborated with IEP teams for 100+ students ensuring appropriate accommodations and goals
Education
MOT - Master of Occupational Therapy — Boston University (2005 - 2007)
AI & Innovation: AI-Assistive Technology, Smart Home Training, VR Rehabilitation, Robotic-Assisted Therapy, Remote Monitoring
Certifications
OTR/L
CHT - Certified Hand Therapist
NBCOT Certification
Key Skills for Occupational Therapist
Functional Assessment
Activity Analysis
Splinting
Cognitive Rehabilitation
ADL Training
Sensory Integration
Hand Therapy
Ergonomics
Documentation
Treatment Planning
Adaptive Equipment
Patient Education
Common Resume Mistakes
Not quantifying functional outcomes
Missing caseload numbers
Ignoring specialty areas
Not showing evidence-based approach
Omitting assistive technology experience
How to Write a Occupational Therapist Resume in 2026
Crafting a competitive Occupational Therapist resume requires more than listing job duties — recruiters spend an average of 7.4 seconds on an initial resume review, so every line must earn its place. Start with a targeted professional summary that mirrors the language of the job posting. Highlight results-driven accomplishments rather than responsibilities, and quantify your impact wherever possible — hiring managers consistently rank measurable results as the top factor that moves a resume to the interview pile. Key skills to feature prominently: Functional Assessment, Activity Analysis, Splinting, Cognitive Rehabilitation, ADL Training. Tailor these to each application using keywords from the job description, since over 75% of large employers use hiring software that filters resumes before a human ever sees them. Common pitfalls to avoid: Not quantifying functional outcomes; Missing caseload numbers; Ignoring specialty areas.
What Hiring Managers Look For in Healthcare Candidates
Hiring managers in Healthcare increasingly prioritize skills-based hiring over traditional credential requirements. A Harvard Business Review study found that 45% of employers have reduced degree requirements since 2020, focusing instead on demonstrated competencies and portfolio evidence. The top competencies employers seek include critical thinking, communication, teamwork, and technology proficiency — all of which should be woven throughout your Occupational Therapist resume rather than listed in isolation. Candidates who include specific metrics are 40% more likely to receive interview callbacks compared to those who use only qualitative descriptions. Your resume should function as a proof-of-competency document where each bullet point connects a skill to an action to a measurable result.
How AI Is Changing Occupational Therapist Hiring
AI-powered assistive technology and smart home integration are expanding OT capabilities. Therapists who leverage AI for personalized intervention planning and remote monitoring achieve better functional outcomes. The World Economic Forum estimates that 23% of jobs globally will change significantly by 2027, with AI and automation driving workforce transformation. For Occupational Therapist professionals, this means both new opportunities and new challenges in how you present your qualifications. Roles that combine technical expertise with judgment, creativity, and interpersonal skills are more likely to be augmented by AI than replaced. For your resume, explicitly demonstrate your ability to work alongside AI tools, adapt to new technologies, and deliver value in areas that automation cannot replicate. Employers increasingly look for candidates who can leverage AI to enhance productivity rather than those who compete with it on routine tasks.
How Hiring Software Processes Occupational Therapist Resumes
When you submit your Occupational Therapist resume online, it enters a hiring system that parses, categorizes, and scores your application before a human reviews it. These systems extract your contact information, work history, education, and skills, then compare them against the job description requirements. For Occupational Therapist positions, hiring software looks for specific technical keywords, job titles, certifications, and quantified achievements. Resumes that include 60-80% of the job description's key terms typically pass through to human review, while those below 40% are automatically filtered out. To optimize for automated screening, use standard section headings (Professional Experience, Education, Skills), avoid tables and graphics that confuse parsing software, and save in .docx or standard PDF format. Run your resume through a resume scanner before submitting to check your compatibility score.